Flash distillation process



Dec. 23, 1958 C. H. OWEN Filed Jan. 6, 1954 PROCESS A D|ST|LLATE /6. 2 PRODUCT A RESIDUAL PRODUCT A-I RESIDUALf; PRODDLIJCT DISTILLATE PRODUCT A-1I PROCESS D Y D v7? PROCESS B RESIDUAL PRODUCT DISTILLATE PRODUCT C 11 DISTILLATE B I PRODUCT B-Ir 2 RESIDUAL PRODUCT C-I A f PROCESS C n CRUDE RESIDUUM l2 VIRGIN GAS O|L 46 F/G. 44

A "r- I 56 e3 'SLT 1am/ xxi 5|\ 4* -5:; V|SBREAK|NG LIGHT PRODUCT n lo 1 42 Jl-LLL 4 l l I8 LICHT 37 AIX (39 '5P-f 5 d ,.23 4 PRODUCT D M ,f' --T\ T7 26T: ,Hi B 54 i; f: :i *F66 36 H131" 1r [1 3 4H 11: 'H217 L J -;J 'l g LJ J l I.; L 1 4 l :.l :T142 2a Il 1- l "1 )l '1 r`\ J" l I9 4 T X34 334 I RECYCLE f, 23 2| CAS OIL CRACKINC 59 L I n 47/ f :kz-/'sl A 48 X1 WJ C I 52 PITCH PRODUCT C-I L:J- f 62 33 53\ [PITCH PRODUCT D-I AROMATTC 27 LT. PRODA IN VEN TOR. GAS OIL DE GOOYTC'II fea CHARLEY HOWEN 57 T BY RECYCLE RESIDUUM M Q/w/ CRACKINC United Sttes FLASH DISTILLA'IIUN PROCESS Charley H. Owen, Phillips,

Tex., assigner to Phillips Petroleum Company,

This invention relates to the vacuum distillation of distillable materials. In one aspect this invention relates to apparatus in which at least three separate distillation charge stocks can be separately vacuum distilled. In another aspect this invention relates to a process for effecting vacuum distillation of at least three separate distillation charge stocks, in a single distillation zone. In another aspect this invention relates to the manufacture of hydrocarbons in accordance with a novel combination of process steps comprising vacuum distillation, vis-breaking, and/or recycle cracking. In still another aspect this invention relates to process and apparatus for effecting vacuum reduction of at least three separate hydrocarbon feed stocks followed by further treatment of reduction products by vis-breaking and/or recycle cracking, to produce virgin gas oil and aromatic gas oil fractions and high softening point residual pitch products. In still another aspect this invention relates to the conversion of heavy residual hydrocarbon oils to virgin gas oils and synthetic aromatic gas oil fractions. In still another aspect this invention relates to the manufacture of hydrocarbons.

In the co-pending applications, Serial No. 241,183, filed August l0, 1951, and Serial No. 400,450, filed December 28, 1953, now abando-ned of Paul M. Waddill; Serial No. 400,526, led December 28, 1953 of Paul M. Waddill and William E. Barr; and Serial No. 327,890, tiled December 24, 1952, now Patent No. 2,760,918, of William E. Barr are disclosed apparatus and process for effecting separate vacuum distillation of two separate distillable materials in the same distillation vessel. Such type operation is advantageous from the standpoint of utilization of a single vacuum source, and is economically desirable from the standpoint of conservation of construction materials, e. g., steel and insulation material, and conservation of heat. However, the art has not been provided heretofore with a single distillation vessel and/ or distillation process wherein more than two separate feed stocks can be separately vacuum distilled in a single vessel, such apparatus and process being advantageous to a markedly increased extent over operations involving vacuum distillation of only two separate stocks in the same vessel, i. e., from the standpoint of conservation in construction materials, heat requirements, and vacuum producing requirements.

In accordance with my invention, I have provided a process comprising introducing at least three separate streams of distillable materials into separate sections in a distillation zone, under flashing conditions, to vaporize a portion of each of said steams; separating and isolating in said zone, vapors from each of said ilashings and therein condensing isolated portions of vapors to form separate condensates; and recovering separate residuum and condensate fractions thus formed in said distillation zone as products of the process.

Also, in accordance with my invention, I have pro-vided a vessel comprising at least three substantially horizontal drums, each said drum having a closed end and an openY end and joined with the other at its open end; vacuum producing means in communication with the interior of said vessel; conduit means for admitting fluid into and removing fluid from said vessel; and darn means in said vessel for preventing ilow of liquid from one of said drums into another.

My invention, in accordance with another concept, provides a no-vel combination of steps for treating hydrocarbons, wherein at least three separate hydrocarbon feed stocks are separately vacuum distilled in a single vacuum distillation vessel, at least one of which feed stocks is a product of recycle cracking of a separate residuum product of said distillation and at least one of which said feed stocks is a` product of vis-breaking of a separate residuum product of said distillation, whereby selected pitch and gas oil fractions are recovered as products.

My invention is further illustrated with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of one embodiment of distillation apparatus of this invention, embodying a top view of four substantially horizontal drums joined together at open ends thereof; and is illustrative of process of this invention embodying separate distillation of at least three separate stocks of distillable materials in a single vessel. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of products that are obtained in accordance with the process of this invention, four connected drums being shown in top view.

Referring to Figure 1, vessel 10 comprises four sections, A, B, C and D, each said section constituting a substantially horizontal drum, having a closed end and an open end and the said sections being joined with each other at their open ends. In each section is provided feed inlet means and, when desired, baille and/or spray means for facilitating condensation and separation of unvaporized liquid from condensate in each drum; internal dam means being provided in a central portion of vessel 10 to form four separate compartments in vessel 10 for collection of separate distillate product formed in each of the sections, A, B, C and D. Thus, in vessel 10, feed inlet conduit 11 extends into substantially horizontal drum section A, preferably through closed end 12 thereof. Batlle means 13, disposed in, and with ring support and dam element 14, transversely closes section A. Spray nozzle assembly means 16 is disposed intermediate baflle 13 and the open end 17 of section A, and is adapted to direct spray in a direction toward baille A13. Batlle 13 and/or spray means 16 can be dispensed with when desired, it being only essential that adequate heat transfer means be present for effecting the desired condensation. Internal dam 15 is disposed along a bottom portion of drum A intermediate spray assembly 16 and open end 17, preferably in close proximity to open end 17, and in one preferred form defining the boundary of end portion 17. Feed conduit 18 extends into drum B, preferably through closed end 19. Batlle 21, disposed in and with ring support and dam element Z2, transversely closes section B. Spray nozzle assembly 23 is disposed intermediate baille 21 and open end 24 of drum section B, and is adapted to direct spray in a direction toward baille 21. Internal darn 26 is disposed along a bottom portion of drum section B intermediate spray assembly 23 and open end 24 thereof, preferably in close proximity to open end 24, and in one embodiment delining the boundary of end portion 24.

The inlet conduit 27 extends into drum C, preferably through closed end 33. Batlle 29, disposed in and with support ring and dam element 31, transversely closes drum C. Spray nozzle assembly 32 is disposed intermediate baille 29 and open end 28 of drum C and is adapted to direct spray in a direction toward baille 29. Internal dam 34 is disposed along the bottom portionof drum C intermediate spray assembly 32 and open end Ztl of drum C, preferably in close proximity to open end 28 and in one embodiment defining the boundary of open end 28.

Feed conduit 36 extends into drum D, preferably through closed end 37..; Balesection 38,disposedin.. and with support ring and dam element39,..transversely adapted to direct spray ina direction -towardbale 3.8. Inf..

ternal dam 42 is disposed along a bottom portionof.

drum D, intermediate spraynozleassembly 41 and open end 43, vpreterablyin vclose,.proximity.to open end 43 and in one embodiment deiining the boundary of open end 43.

Conduit 74 (FigureZ) is connected .withrvessellti` so as to be in direct .commuuicationwith the ,interior thereof at a central point,` i. e., centralrelative to drums A, B, C, and D, beingradvantagelously in close proximity to a point above intersection .of internal dams 15, 26, 34 and 42.

In the operation of one embodiment of my process with reference to Figure 1, a heavy oil feed such as a crude residuum via line 11, is V.charged into section A-I of vessel V under dashing conditions therein, to vaporize a portion of feed. Vapors containing entrained droplets of unvaporized liquid -are passed through bafe section 13, the latter causing vapors to pass therethrough along a tortuous path so asto cause separation of entrained droplets therefrom by centrifugal force, baffle 13 thus functioning to deect droplets from vapors passed therethrough. Unvaporized liquid, including droplets deflected from vapors passed through baffle 13, lis collected as a residual pitch product fraction in section A-'I and is removed via line.44. Vapors from section A-I passed through baflie'l?,v into section A-'IL are condensed therein by any desired cooling means, preferably in heat Aexchange relation with 'a spray of cool liquid condensate from-section A-II,` passed into'nozzle assembly 16, byeway of'lines not shown.. Spray emitted from nozzle assembly^16` is;l advantageously discharged under momentum' conditionsV such that sprayed droplets contact'resulting condensateV droplets under condtionsgcausing sprayed dropletsV4 and condensate to collect, i. e. to settle, in section A-II. Resulting condensateysettled in -section A-II, is prevented from flowing out of section A-II into drumsB, C, or D, by darn means'15p Liquidcondensate is recovered from section A-II via line 46.

A second heavy oilv feed, which can -be the same or different from that charged to drum into section I of'drunrB viaf'line18 therein to vaporize a portion of the feed.Y Vaporscontainingentrainrnent are passed from section I of drum B into section II through baffle 21,'similar in design'to batiie-13,-to deflect entrained droplets from the said-vapors; which are then contacted in drum section C-'II with cool'spray from nozzle assembly 23 to substantiallycompletely Ycondense those vapors. Condensate fromsectionllof drum B is removed in` part as product via line47' and the'remaining part is returned as feed is removed from sectionl of-fc-lrumB 'vialine 48. A -third feed stock is introducedinto'section I ofl dr-um C vvialline 27 under flashing conditions in drum C to vaporizea p0rtion of the feed-'and to cause Vremoval-of"e ntrainmentt from'resultingvapors andthen to causetcondensation of the latter in conjunction with=baflle29 and spray system 32, in the same manneras described in the `operations associated with drums A and B.

A fourth feed stock isiutroducedinto section D-I of. vessel 10 via line 36 under'ashing conditions inrdrumr-D to vaporize a portion of the feed and toL cause Mremoval of entrainment from resultingivapors followed byl con A-I, is introducedl to nozzle 231; Residuum productl densation of the said vaporsyin conjunction-With batfle'gklv and spray system 41, relative to operationA of sectionsAand-B; Condensate in the same vmanner as describedis removed from section II ofsdrurnC via line-49,A and from section IIof drum D, viav line 51.' ResiduurnprodfA tions, respectively,

uct is withdrawn from section I of drum C via line S2, and from section I of drum D' via'line 53M Illustration of the above discussed embodiment, relative to the introduction of at least three charge stocks and withdrawal of distillation products from the single vessel, is further illustrated with reference to Figure 2.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, and with further reference to Figure 1, a crude residuum is vacuum reduced in section A-I. Residuum product in section VAf-Lis removed fromvessel 10 and charged toa mild cracking or vis-breakingstep, the latter type4 opera tion being conducted in accordance with conditions well known in the art, such as for: example at a temperature within the limits of 870 to 960 F. and at a pressure within the range of to 250 p. s. i. a. Residual visbreaking product is then charged as feed to section I of drum B and vacuum reduced therein. Residuum productI from. section B-I is then charged -to a recycle residuum cracking step, such operation constituting a relatively. severe cracking, such as is effected at a temperature within the range of 920 to 1020 F. and at a pressure within the range of 300 to 50D p. s. i. a. Residuum product from recycle cracking is then charged as feed to sectionC-I of vessel 10 and gas oil distillate is charged to conventional recycle cracking of the type above described, from which residuum product is charged as feed to section D-I of vessel 10 for-vacuum reduction therein. Gas oil distillate from section DJI can be recycled with distillate from section C-II tothe last-said recycle cracking. Products resulting from this combination process include selected gas oil fractions, especially suitable for charging to catalytic cracking, and highly aromatic gas oil fractions, together with residual highsoftening-point pitch products. Thus,-with specific reference to Figure 1, crude residuum is introduced into section I ofdrurn rA of vessel 10 under flashing conditionsv so as. to vaporize a portion of'the'feed in section Vapors containing entrained unvaporized liquid -droplets arepassedthrough baffle' 13 in contact with'relatively. cool Vliquid spray emitted from spray nozzle 13 vso as to be condensed in section II of drum A. Residuum from section A-I is vremoved via line 44 and charged to vis breaking zone 56, wherein it is subjected to mild cracking conditions as discussed hereinabove. Residuum product from vis-breaking is charged as feed to section B-I under ashing conditions therein to partially vaporize the feed.4 Vapors containing entrained unvaporized liquid droplets are passed through baffle 21 in contact Withcool spray emitted from spray nozzle 23 to effect substantially complete condensation in section B--IL is removed from section B-I via line 43 and charged Yto recycle residuum cracking zone 57, wherein it is subjected to cracking under conditions more severe than those em ized liquid are passed from section CI through baffle-29.

in contact with cold liquid spray emitted from nozzle. assembly 32 to effect substantially complete condensation. Condensate product of substantially` complete condensation of vapors in each of sections A41,

of vapors therein.

B-IIand C-II is withdrawn from each of the latter-secvia lines 46, 47,' and 49." Condensate in line 49, comprising an aromatic gas oil, is charged to. recycle cracking zone 59, wherein it is subjected to cracking conditions similar to those employed in zone 57.

Residuum product from cracking in zone 59 is chargedto section- D-'I of vessel 10 under flashing conditions therein to eiect partialvaporization of feed. Vapors containing:

entrainedVV droplets ofv unvaporized4 feed are passed from section D-I through bathe section in contact in the latter'sectionY with relatively cool spray so as to substantially completely'condense -vaporsthereinr in section CfHjl Residuum product 38 -into sectionl -Dll' Condensate is removed from section D-II via line 51 and recycled in part with condensate from line 49, when desired, to cracking zone 59. When desired, aromatic gas oil condensate product can be withdrawn from the system via lines 49 and 61, and aromatic gas oil condensate product from section Di-II can be withdrawn from the system via lines 51 and 62. Light products can be withdrawn, respectively, from zones 56, 57 and 59 via lines 63, 64 and 66. Residual high-softening-point pitch products are withdrawn from vessel 10, from section C-I via line 52, and from section D-I via line 53.

In accordance with the immediately foregoing embodiment, a crude residuum has been charged to a distillation vessel of this invention in accordance with the process of this invention, and, in conjunction with auxiliary visbreaking and recycle cracking steps, has been converted into a virgin gas oil distillate, a gas oil distillate containing aromatics and suitable for charge to catalytic cracking, and highly aromatic gas oil distillates together with separate grades of residual pitch product.

When referring herein to the introduction of feed into a distillation zone under ashing conditions, it is meant that the feed is introduced at a suticiently high vacuum so as to effect the desired flashing. Exemplary of such conditions relative to hydrocarbon oil ashing, are ternperatures in range of from 600 to 900 F. and pressures within the range of from 0.4 to 20 mm. Hg, although it is to be understood that temperature and pressure conditions outside these ranges can be employed dependent upon the specific feed stock to be flashed.

When charging feed stock into the system under ashing conditions, it is generally advantageous to discharge the feed in the flash section in a direction opposite to the direction of vapor flow therein, preferably against a liquid coalescing surface, such conditions causing the charge emitted to suddenly change its direction of ow, subsequent to striking the coalescing surface or the end of the vessel. In this manner, separation of unvaporized and vaporized portions of charge is facilitated in the flash section.

Although in illustrating my invention with reference to Figure 1, sprayed droplets are preferably directed toward the bafe in each drum, i. e., against vapor flow, it is to be understood that the said sprayed droplets can be directed in any direction to effect the desired vaporspray contacting, it being important in any such embodiment that the said vapor-spray contacting be conducted in a manner so as to achieve the desired heat exchange. Thus, emitted droplets from any one or more of nozzle assemblies 16, 23, 32 and 41 of Figure l can be directed concurrent with, transverse to, or against the ow of vapors contacted therewith. Thus, spray nozzle structure of this invention is adapted accordingly to emit spray in the direction desired.

It is to be understood that although it is advantageous to employ a baffle section and/ or a spray system, as illustrated, neither is required. Any condensing means, such as cooling coils or other heat exchange equipment, can be employed in any one or all condensing sections to effect the desired heat exchange so as to achieve condensation. When dispensing with the use of a bale or other such liquid droplet deecting means, vapors to be condensed will generally contain droplets of unvaporized feed as contaminants, which, dependent on the specific feed stock, may be desired. However, even if use of a baie is dispensed with, substantially complete settling of entrained droplets from vapor to be condensed may be effected dependent on the settling time, such as determined by the length of the drum ash section.

Any suitable design of baffle section, for example baflie 13, can be employed which will cause vapors passed therethrough to follow a tortuous path, whereby entrained droplets are caused to be separated by centrifugal force and can be collected as liquid product in the flash section. Typical of such a baffle that can be employed in vessel 10 of Figure 1, is one comprising a plurality of parallel courses of angle irons, each said course substantially closing said chamber, angle irons in each of these said courses facing a common direction transversely across the chamber, and each angle in each course having its vertex positioned within the sides of the adjacent and preceding angle, the baie employed, in any case, serving as a liquid droplet deliecting surface, i. e., so as to deflect entrained liquid droplets from vapors passed therethrough.

Specific cooling means have not been specifically shown for effecting the desired cooling of liquid fed to spray systems in the vacuum distillation vessel of Figure 1. However, it is to be understood that any conventional type cooling can be employed such that liquid emitted from the spray assembly is suiciently cooled to cause vapors contacted in heat exchange relation therewith to condense. When liquid sprays are employed, as described herein, it is important that, in order to prevent condensate droplets from passing into an adjacent drum section, that the momentum of the sprayed liquid be suflicient that upon colliding with vapor and resulting condensate droplets, the coalesced spray and condensate droplets are caused to settle as product in the condensing section. However, these momentum conditions are of secondary importance when the drum section is of suflicient length that there is suicient time for droplets of condensate and sprayed liquid to settle in the condensing section prior to reaching the end thereof.

Although I have illustrated my invention with reference to the separate vacuum reduction of four separate feed stocks, it is to be understood that my invention is equally well appliedto the separate vacuum reduction of three or more separate stocks, which stocks can be the same or different. Also, although I have illustrated distillation apparatus comprising four drum sections at substantially right angles to each other, and of substantially the same cross section, it is to be Aunderstood that as many drum sections can be employed as desired and that they can be disposed at any desired angle to each other and can each be of any suitable cross section. Although I have illustrated certain embodiments of my invention with reference to the vacuum distillation of hydrocarbon oil residua, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to distillation of such materials but is applicable to the distillation of any distillable material, such as for example, vegetable, animal, and mineral oils, distillable organic and inorganic chemical mixtures or solutions, and juices; such as in low-temperature flash distillation of water from fruit and vegetable juices, e. g., in the concentration of orange or other citrus juices by ashing water therefrom.

If desired, a spray nozzle assembly can be disposed in one or more of the flash sections vin the apparatus of Figure l, i. e., sections A-I, B-I, C-I, and D41, to emit spray in contact with entrainment-containing vapors therein, preferably in ow against such vapors. Such spray nozzle assemblies are indicated as elements 16', 23', 32', and 41.v In the practiceof process of this invention employing one or more of spray nozzles 16', 23', 32 and 41', feed to the spray assembly is liquid product in that flash section. Sprayed droplets thus passed in impinging contact with entrainment-containing vapor, preferably against the How of vapor, are emitted under conditions such that they have a momentum preferably at least as great, and a temperature at least as high as the momentum and temperature, respectively, of entrained droplets in the vapor contacted therewith, so as to cause the emitted droplets and the impinged droplets to settle as liquid in the ash section. Under these conditions substantially no condensation of vapor in the ash section takes place as result of the spray-vapor contact and entrained impinged and sprayed droplets therein are caused to settle in that section for withdrawal from the system, thus providing substantially entrainment 2,865,885- 7 1'. freeasvaporsx for-'w subsequentacondensatiom to fomr :rela-a. tively;tcleamcondensatero The usewtspray,aasadescribed; insctheralaslL- sectionnz is optionala; Theya can housed; inaconjunction zwith, onine'` place otzthe transversevbaie sections;

Variation'- aand; fmodicatiomrare::possible within the scopevof;` the;:foregoingizdisclosuresrdrawings; andv the-apespendedclaimsz tor the) inventionisthe .essence fotnwhichfis z; a process fonietecting; separate; vacuum distill-ationsxoful' at least three separate streams of distillable materials :in ".10

85 residuum product :from-1 said crackingl` intofsa.,third'tsinsection.;o. said .distillation f zonel Viundengiiashiug. conrlis:N tions to;;vaporize.f;a @portion ofx'same; passingzivaporsta. formed inf said. third ashisectionf intora thirdzcondensing: n section vintsaidzoneg: andzcondensing, same` therein-subf-wjecting; `condensate -fronrrsa-id' thirdy condensingffzone fto'zr recycle cracking` and- 'passing residuum-';product ifromszthes:` last ,said-,.'crackinginto a four'th-.iiash sectiontin. said zonen: under: flashing.; ,conditions tovvaporize- .a v.portion zthereofa".` andv recovering` as product ofl the r processy a virginl gas .oilf;

a singledistillationyessel,.comprising:introducing at least threetseparate; streamsfnoi`v such .:rnaterials :finto r separate I sectionsiin-lta singlezsiistillationzoneaunder flashing con.- ditionszto fvaporize= a .portion 'oii'eachssaidz stream; sepa-1A ratelygseparatin'g and isolatingtin-said zoner vapors'v from each: -of :said: t flashir1}gs:-.-and.` :thereinI condensing isolated p0rtionsv-ofa said :vaporswtof form :separate a condensates; andzfrecovering,.separate residuumr andV condensate -frac. tionsfthusformedt invsaid .f'zonenas productrof Athe proef. t essprin-accordancerswithl another conceptp this .inventionH providing a :vessel lcomprisingtat least three substantially z horizontal drums, .eachvsaid .drum-.having a Iclosed end andean. open `end and joined with the-'other at: its-open endprvacuum producing. means in -communicationwith the .interior-.of'said vessel; Aconduit -means for admitting uid intoand Vremoving uidsfrom Vsaidavessel; and darn means-in: :said .fvesselgfon-preventing ),ow .of liquid- 'from cnet-of.y saidf .drums into another.

I claim:

1. f A'process comprisingv introducing at least four separatenstreamsf ofidistillable `materials into separate sectionsina-:distillation zone lunder'tlashing conditions to vaporize-a portionofeach` of said streams; separately separating :andhisolatin'g in saidzone, -vapors `trom eachV ofl--saidla'shings.anditherein condensing isolated portionsv -i Aof saidi-vaporsV to -fornr separate-.condensates;- introducing into-said distillation-ozone asva 'r'st `ofv said! separateIV streamsta vreduced .virginl petroleumI crude to produce a l resid'uum tovis-breaking;recoveringthe residuum prodsaidldistllation zone asa second of said separate streams to -form-a second residuurn-as flashing product; subjecting saidtsecond residuum to recycle-cracking and introf ducinga'residuum product lfrom saidv crackingas a third of-said separate streams into said distillation zone; recovering distillate from ashing the -said third stream and-*introducing same-into said distillation zone as a fourth of said separate streams;l and `recovering virgin gasoil, aromatic gas oil,v and; residual pitch fractions as product. References .Citedzin theileoffthis patent 2. A process comprising introducing adredrliced petro- UNITEDFSTATES PATENTS leuntA crude into a first flash section of a istil ation zone under'fla'shing'conditionsto vaporize'a portion of-same;; 173089l Lesfe et 11' --Oct' passing vapor-thus formed into a st condensing section 55.: Ies miet- MOV' 24 1936 inwsaidzoneand condensing-'sametherein; subjecting s 2443'970 ll- Juzz '1g-48N unvaporizedliquid' from:A said first" ashsection to vis- 26982'82 Findla Dec. 28 1954 breaking and passing lresiduum product .from said .vis, 27'561'86' Owen 3ta'1"-""""' Ill-Q24 1956i breaking into a second Hash section in said' distillation 27'60918; Barr "Aug .2811956 y zone under ashing.conditons totvaporize a pirtion ofV 'ZSOSS'SI Cavint````l Sept'- '10 1957; same; passing .vaporsformed insaid .second ash `sec- "f f Y" tionnjnto, a second; Condeusingsectionin said. zone and FOREIGN PATENTS condensingsametherein; subjecting residuum-from said; 605,640 Germany f Dec. 18, 1930 second ,Hash section .to.:,recycle `cracking and passing. 699,900 I Germany s Nov. 14, 1940'.

condensate, a residual; pitchl anda-an; .aromatic,:.gas oilzi condensate.

3. .'Ihe; process of11claimz2 :wherein .a vportion:orlzaroeimatic-gas oil .condensatetiformed cinzxsaid. fourth;ccu1.:.` densing section, is :recycledzwithgcondensatefrom 'said-r:`

third condensing sectiongtoithe.'lastxsaid:recyclecracking;t.

4.y The process :of :claim: 2 wherein,vaporsxffrnm atri least one ofsaid:ashvsectionsiarepassedwthronglra `liqezzuid particle deilectin'gironeuprior.l to passing same into a.- condensng zone, andtwhereintzcondensatei is formed inn said icondensingdzoneeby' contacting 4vapors therein" in heat:fexchangefirelation-:witlif'a,=liquid=.spray at'a term perature. lower-v than: that .of said- .vaporr contacted there- With."

5 .TheY .processf ofclaim; 2 Lwherein "said" vis-breaking is effected. atta .temperature of: from` 870'1to 196091:.;

whereinthe tirstsaid; recycletcraclcin'g is .conducted.at

920'l.to1:.1020...f F.; and .wherein th'elasti said 'recycle cracking is 'efectedat9201011020' F.21

separate streams-:fof:y distillable .materials inter-separate sections `-in.v a distillationwzone. under. yflashing conditions touvaporizera :portion-of 'each .ofrsaid streams; separ` ately' separating andr-isolatingi in'said-zone i vapors from-- eachofwsaidl ashingsf andhtherein Icondensing isolated portions of "said rvaporsfgtoffform separate condensates;.

vapors "from saidv ashingsrfcontainingl .f entrained'fdrop'. v lets; Yrecovering unvaporized `liquid: from at least onel of.' saidiashings andemittingrsame as a spray against.fiow` of entrainment-containing vapors in at least one ofsaid f' sections-emitted sprayed dropletshaving a momentum at-least as great: and a temperature at least as high asf" the momentum. and temperature,` respectively; of' en-1 trained droplets Ain vapor contact therewith; whereby'impinged'. entrained droplets 4in' said 'vapors are caused tof settletogether with sprayedtdroplets in the said ash I section-'without eleetingco-ndensation of yany vapors `so' contacted; and recovering distillation product thus formed in -said distillation zoneaszproduct of the process. y

6. A processixcomprising introducngeat leastv three@ UNITED STATES PATENT UTFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CURRECTION Patent No., 2986x835 Deoember 235, 1958 5 Owen It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of thev above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1p line 3% strike out "now abanzioned" and insert the same after "August 109 19519" in line 385 Same oolumn.,

Signed and Sealed 226th day of May 1959D (SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT C. WATSN Commissioner of Patents KARL H., AXLINE Attesting Oiicer 

2. A PROCESS COMPRISING INTRODUCING A REDUCED PETROLEUM CRUDE INTO A FIRST FLASH SECTION OF A DISTILLATION ZONE UNDER THE FLASHING CONDITION TO VAPORIZE A PORTION OF SAME; PASSING VAPOR THUS FORMED INTO A FIRST CONDENSING SECTION IN SAID ZONE AND CONDENSING SAME THEREIN; SUBJECTING UNVAPORIZED LIQUID FROM SAUD FIRST FLASH SECTION TO VISBREAKING AND PASSING RESIDUUM PRODUCET FROM SAID VISBREAKING INTO A SECOND FLASH SECTION IN SAID DISTILLATION ZONE UNDER FLASHING CONDITIONS TO VAPORIZE A PORTION OF SAME; PASSING VAPORS FORMED IN SAID SECOND FLASH SECTION, INTO A SECOND CONDENSING SECTION IN SAID ZONE AND CONDENSING SAME THEREIN; SUBJECTING RESIDUUM FROM SAID SECOND FLASH SECTION TO RECYCLE CRACKING AND PASSING RESIDUUM PROJECT FROM SAID CRACKING INTO A THIRD FLASH SECTION OF SAID DISTILLATION ZONE UNDER FLASHING CONDITIONS TO VAPORIZE A PORTION OF SAME; PASSING VAPORS FORMED IN SAID THIRD FLASH SECTION INTO A THIRD CONDENSING SECTION IN SAID ZONE, AND CONDENSING SAME THEREIN; SUBJECTING CONDENSATE FROM SAID THIRD CONDENSING ZONE TO RECYCLE CRACKING AND PASSING RESIDUUM PRODUCT FROM THE LAST SAID CRACKING INTO A FOURTH FLASH SECTION IN SAID ZONE UNDER FLASHING CONDITION TO VAPORIZE A PORTION THEREOF; AND RECOVERING AS PRODUCT OF THE PROCESS A VIRGIN GAS OIL CONDENSATE, A RESIDUAL PITCH AND AN AROMATIC GAS OIL CONDENSATE. 